A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: 2013 Presidential Inauguration

This time last year I was in DC to witness the (2nd) inauguration of President Barack Obama. Ironically, the inauguration fell on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. It was such an honor to witness the inauguration of President Obama and celebrate the life and legacy of  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


Before leaving Mississippi, Keitra checked the weather so that we were able to adequately prepare for the cold. Needless to say, we could not have prepared for that cold--it was freezing! With all 5 people accounted for, we were DC bound.

The first day was used for sightseeing. Although everyone else had previously visited DC (even Braxton), it was my first trip. Therefore, I wanted to see everything and snap pictures every few steps.

Braxton and I 

Earlier in the day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s son and others were present at his memorial to lay flowers; such a beautiful sight.

This picture does the MLK monument no justice.  I am forever grateful for the sacrifices Dr. King made for our generation. I can not imagine what kind of world we would live in if it weren't for people like him fighting for social equality.  We are no where near where we need to be, but I thank God we have made progress. For his dying was not in vain because I, along with my siblings, consider ourselves  recipients of  "The Dream".  

Well hello there, Lincoln!

Of course sightseeing makes you hungry! So, we stopped for dinner at the famous B.Smith's Restaurant in Union Station. The food was dee-lish-us!

Creston and Keitra at B. Smith's Restaurant

Mommy Dearest posing at B. Smith's

While sightseeing, we came across newcasters from CNN. Don Lemon and a few more were covering the Inauguration.  We were ecstatic, partly because we thought we would be on tv.  We called daddy to see if he could see us....but um....I'm not sure about that. I am certain we were on tv. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

We weren't able to see as much due to the high level of security.  However, we were able to get right in front of the Presidential Reviewing Stand right before they closed off the street.  This is where the President and others sit to watch the Inaugural Parade.

This is definitely not the best picture, but you can see the seal!

Soon, the sun started to go down and baby brother started getting tired.  We headed back to the hotel to prepare for what would soon be one of the best days of our lives.

INAUGURATION DAY!

Fortunately my dad assisted us in getting tickets to go inside the inauguration. It was by far, one of the best moments I've ever experienced. However, I do not plan on EVER going to another inauguration...unless Braxton is President. In that case, I'll be sitting with the dignitaries and other notables LOL!  We woke up around 3:00 a.m. and headed to catch the train to the Capitol. Keep in mind, it's 3:00 am in DC--again, freezing. After an hour or less, we arrived at our "station". Your station depends on the color of your ticket. Since we had orange, our pass was to the lawn of the Capitol. We were early, but definitely not the first to arrive. Can't you see the excitement?

I'm not sure I've ever been this cold in all my 25 years.  We had to wait a few hours until they opened the gate.  Although getting up early sucked, I am glad we did because within an hour or so of us getting there, the line was literally wrapped as far as our eyes could see. Whew, dodged that bullet.  In addition, we were able to get a glorious view. As we walked in, THIS was our view.

After walking in to such a sight, I no longer cared about the weather...I was about to witness the 2014 Presidential Inauguration! (Note: I tried to convince myself that weather wasn't a factor...oh but it was)

The Inauguration itself was pretty cool.  If you consider hours and hours of former Presidents and other notables walking in and being seated "cool".  But again, I was there for my President {and Beyonce} so nothing else mattered!

I must say this shall go down as one of the BEST days of my life.  I am honored to have even been given the opportunity to be in the mere presence of President Barack Obama.  I am thankful for my mom, who has since our childhood, afforded us numerous opportunities to travel not only in the United States, but the world.  I can not remember one year that we didn't go on a vacation.  Whether it be 2 hours out of Mississippi or 24 hours out, we would hit the road (or air) to explore new places. It is because of this, that I am able to step outside of my comfort zone and thrive, even when faced with challenges.  Thanks mom:)  And even though Braxton was not pleased with this DC trip, he will one day be grateful for the experience. Witnessing the 2013 Presidential Inauguration has most definitely been one of the BEST days of my life.

DC, you were good to me. 

xo

RAEofsunshine